Travel Pro Review: Maxlite Air V2 vs Maxlite 5

I have tested luggage spent a lot of time with luggages and bags over the past 4 years, so I recognize good design when I see it. In this TravelPro luggage review, I’m covering two popular TravelPro checked bags: the Maxlite Air V2 Hardside and the Maxlite 5 Softside. I took them on multiple trips, packing them full and rolling them through airports, cities, and rough conditions to see how they’d handle it. The result? I uncovered a few surprises and plenty of features that every traveler should know about.

Brand Overview & History:

TravelPro’s story starts with pilot Bob Plath in the 1980s. He invented the upright Rollaboard so flight crews wouldn’t have to lug heavy bags, and soon that design caught on. TravelPro became known as the go-to luggage for airline crews and frequent flyers thanks to its lightweight durability.

Over the years, TravelPro introduced innovations like the Contour Grip telescoping handle, smooth spinner wheels, and even recycled-material liners. It focuses on practical performance rather than luxury. In other words, it’s a midrange workhorse brand, not luxury brand, no flashy logos or designer frills, just rugged reliability for real-world travel.

TravelPro is often compared to Samsonite or Delsey in terms of build quality, but usually at a lower price point. It’s not a fashion-label brand (for that, you’d look at Tumi or Rimowa); instead, it’s built for mileage and abuse. If you want proven, airline-crew-tested durability at a reasonable price, TravelPro is a strong choice.

TravelPro Maxlite Air V2 Hardside:

Key Specifications:

• 100% polycarbonate hard shell;
• eight double-spinner wheels;
• TSA-approved combination lock integrated into the case;
• 2″ expansion capacity;
• PowerScope Lite telescoping handle (locks at 38″ and 42.5″);
• approx. 140 L capacity;
• weighs about 10.9 lbs (empty, 28″ size).

Dimensions & Capacity:

The 28″ Maxlite Air V2 measures about 30.5×19.5×12 inches including wheels and handles, with an internal case size of roughly 27.5×18.5×12 inches. That gives around 140 liters of packing space, enough for a week or more of clothes when expanded. I confirmed that even with the 2-inch expansion, it stays within most airlines’ checked baggage size limits (some strict carriers count total linear dimensions, so the extra two inches mostly trade off for depth). A smaller 25″ version is also available (about 91 L capacity and only ~6.8 lbs empty), which fits medium packing needs and is even easier on weight limits.

Weight Impact:

At just 10.9 lbs empty, the Air V2 is astonishingly light for its size. In testing, I packed around 40–45 lbs of gear (clothes, shoes, camera equipment) and it still rolled smoothly. Even at about 50 lbs, the telescoping handle remained rock-solid, no wobble or straining. In practice this means you can pack up to airline weight limits (50–62 lbs) and still stay under weight pretty easily. Weighing a couple of pounds less than a typical 28″ spinner, it can help you avoid overage fees on long trips.

Material & Build:

The shell is 100% polycarbonate that’s engineered to flex slightly on impact (reducing cracks) and has reinforced plastic corner guards on all edges. In my drop tests and rough handling, I only observed minor scuffs. Unlike some harder plastics, this one doesn’t dent easily, it just absorbs bumps. The expansion zipper is heavy-duty, and the case feels solid even when fully packed to the brim.

Interior:

The main compartment has two full-zip divider panels and compression straps to keep clothes in place. Everything is lined with TravelPro’s ECOFAB fabric. I appreciated how the interior stayed neat and organized: zipped panels meant I could pack one side with shirts and the other with pants or shoes, and the built-in pockets held small items (socks, chargers) securely.

Exterior:

The finish we tested (Slate Gray) has a geometric texture that hides scratches well. As a hard case, there are no exterior pockets, access is through the main zipper only. The 2″ expansion runs around the middle of the shell and felt sturdy; even fully zipped in expansion mode it didn’t sag or rub. The carry handles (top and side) are low-profile but feel reinforced.

Wheels:

All eight wheels are 360° spinners (two per corner). In my rolling tests, this design meant it tracks incredibly smoothly. On smooth tile or carpet it glided with almost no effort, I literally gave it a light nudge and it carried itself. Even on rough sidewalk cobblestones it didn’t tip or drift. The dual-wheel setup distributes weight well. Not once did a wheel jam or catch on the ground, even under heavy load.

Performance & Durability:

• Weight & Rolling Test: With ~40 lbs of luggage inside, the Air V2 was still easy for me to lift and maneuver. It practically rolled itself on a flat floor. Even at ~50 lbs the spinner wheels took it in stride: the case moved steadily without fishtailing. I did notice a little more bounce on very uneven ground (like cobbles), but not enough to knock over a full packing. Overall, the 8-wheel design made hauling heavy loads effortless compared to a 4-wheel bag.
• Handle & Weather Test: The telescoping handle locked solidly at both heights and flexed only slightly under maximum load. Maneuvering the bag with one hand was smooth, and the rubberized Contour Grip felt comfortable. The hard shell turned out to be fully waterproof: after pouring water all over it, not a drop got inside. (The zipper has a protective flap, so even rain can’t easily seep through.) I never worried about wet weather or spills, this shell keeps everything dry.

TravelPro Maxlite 5 Softside:

Key Specifications:

• Durable polyester body with stain- and water-resistant
• DuraGuard coating; 4 spinner wheels;
• 2″ expansion;
• PowerScope Lite handle (2 heights);
• weighs almost 6.8 lbs (25″ size)
• Approximately 91 L capacity.

Dimensions & Capacity:

The 25″ Maxlite 5 (medium checked) is about 27×18.5×11.5 inches outside (25×18×11 inside). That’s roughly 91 L of space. It expands 2″ around the perimeter when needed. For more volume, a larger 29″ version is available (about 142 L, 8 lbs). The smaller case is already quite roomy, think multi-week travel for one person.

Weight Impact:

Under 7 lbs empty is incredibly light. In real use, I loaded about 35 lbs into it and it was still very easy to lift and maneuver. Even at ~50 lbs it held shape well (the sides ballooned slightly, but the structure stayed intact). This light frame means you gain extra packing headroom before hitting airline weight limits.

Material & Build:

The exterior fabric feels rugged, and TravelPro’s DuraGuard coating repels water and resists stains. In testing, spilled water just beaded and wiped off. The base of the bag has a molded tray around the wheels, which reinforces the bottom and keeps the wheels perfectly aligned, after weeks of rough dragging, the wheels were still straight. All seams and handles use heavy-duty stitching, so the construction feels solid despite the flexibility.

Interior:

Inside is well-organized. There’s a full-length lid pocket and a side accessory pocket, plus adjustable straps to cinch everything down. I packed a tangle of clothes, electronics, and cables, and the straps plus pockets kept things orderly. The lining is the same eco-friendly recycled fabric.

Exterior:

This soft case offers convenience that the hard case doesn’t. It has two zippered front pockets: one large pocket (for magazines, a charger, or a light jacket) and one smaller quick-access pocket (perfect for documents or snacks). When I had a board book and phone in the big pocket, I could grab them mid-flight without opening the whole bag. The main compartment zippers run around the edge (for expansion) and work smoothly. The top and side carry handles are slim but sturdy. Overall it feels very practical.

Wheels:

It rides on four 360° spinner wheels. On smooth floors, it’s a breeze, just like any good spinner, it almost follows me around. Outdoors, it does better than most softcases I have used. I tested it on rough sidewalk cracks and it stayed on course (though of course you feel the bumps more than with a hard case). The single wheels worked well, though I noted the bag did wobble a bit under extreme weight (if you were to pack it really heavy).

Performance & Durability:

• Weight & Rolling Test: With ~35 lbs loaded, it was still easy to handle. I only felt significant strain above ~50 lbs, at which point the fabric sides bowed a touch. On flat surfaces it glides effortlessly; on cobblestones or gravel it vibrated more than the Air V2 but never veered off line. Speed-rolling through an airport jetway, it kept up smoothly.
• Handle & Weather Test: The handle locked firmly at both heights. Even fully packed, it only flexed slightly, I never worried it might collapse. As for weather, the DuraGuard-coated fabric did its job, I poured water on it and it simply beaded off. After dragging it through a sudden downpour, the interior stayed bone-dry (aside from maybe a very damp spot on the outermost fabric of the front pockets, which are not waterproof).

Travel Pro Maxlite Comparison:

Unlike the Air V2, the Maxlite 5 doesn’t have a built-in lock. However, its main zipper pulls have loops so you can attach a TSA-approved padlock (not included). The exterior pockets are not lockable, so I used them only for items I wanted on hand. (For full security, you’d use a padlock on the main compartment.)

Which TravelPro Bag Should You Choose?

For maximum protection and capacity, go with the Maxlite Air V2 Hardside. Its rigid shell and extra wheels are perfect for heavy packing or fragile contents (suits, electronics, camera gear, etc.). If instead you prefer a super-light bag with more organization features, pick the Maxlite 5 Softside. The softshell’s expandable fabric and front pockets make it versatile for casual trips or family vacations.

Both bags have high build quality and the same excellent warranties, so you can’t really go wrong. Match the bag to your travel style: choose the hardshell Air V2 for ultimate durability and space, or the softshell Maxlite 5 for flexibility, convenience and to use as free carry-on in most airlines.

Conclusion:

TravelPro delivers in both cases, whether you need a tank-like hard case or a featherweight soft case. Use this review to decide which one fits your needs, and you’ll be happy with either choice, just be prepared to be surprised by how light and smooth these suitcases are in action.

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